Every office place of work must provide ergonomic surroundings…A school is a place of work yet ergonomics education is not provided to students.
Children have become increasingly physically inactive and are sitting more and more. Health education from a young age is key and to help raise awareness I have written a book to help parents and care givers educate children about their bodies and simple ergonomic practices Your Body is Amazing – Basic Anatomy & Ergonomics for Children
The Problem
Studies have revealed that 72 per cent of primary and 64 per cent of secondary school children report back and/or neck pain at school, with the majority of cases unreported (Webb 2013).
Studies over the last decade show 13-50 per cent of 11-17 year olds have experienced back pain (cited Gardner & Kelly 2006, Vaughan et al 2007).
Pupils who experience back pain are more likely to experience it as an adult (Salminen et al 1999, Croft et al 2001, Jones and Macfarlane 2009).
Back pain in children has implications for the future workforce as many young adults are entering the workplace with back and neck pain already present.
Benefits of ergonomics for children includes:
- More comfortable children
- More attentive and focused pupils
- Better listeners and better learners
- Good habits for later on in life.
